NZ-HAWKES-BAY-N-POVERTY-BAY-L Archives

From: Elaine Mattsen <>
Subject: 131-141 Ormondville Rifle and Sports.doc
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:30:27 +1300

Pages 134 to 141 Ormondville
101 Years of Ormondville Rifle and Sports' Clubs

Page 134 Photo Rev A.S. WEBB and Union Rifles 1903.


RIFLE CLUBS

A Union Defence Rifle Club was founded in 1903 under the leader-ship of Capt. G. FORBES with Messrs F. B. CURD and W. JOHNSTONE of Ormondville and Makotuku as lieutenants. Rev. A. S. WEBB was Chaplain and Donald McGAVIN M.D. was surgeon. Camps were held on Amundsen Farm. When Colonel NEWALL of Wellington inspected the troop at Ormondville he spotted Tony WEBB and asked him where he had seen him last. "Near Ermels when I passed you sitting by the road Sir." Tony Webb had been in Colonel Newall's Regiment in South Africa and later returned there to live.

Later in 1906 Union Defence Club competed for the Hon. Cowper-Smith Cup, success being recorded in 1906 by Geo. MAY 1908 G. C. CALLENDER, 1909 H. J. NEWLING, 1910 R. G. BAINES, 1911 J. NEAL, 1912 V. CASTLES and in 1914 by C. F. BARKER. After being in recess during the 1914-1918 Great War the club was reformed as the Waikopiro Defence Rifle Club and again competed for the Hon. Cowper-Smith Cup. Successes were recorded as follows:

1928 G. DASSLER, 1929 W. H. RENDLE, 1930 W. H. RENDLE, 1931 E.MCLEAN,
1932 W. H. RENDLE, 1933 C. D. FAIRBROTHER, 1934 H.D. KING, 1935 C. 0. FAIRBROTHER,
1936 A. HEALEY, 1937 R. CHADWICK, 1938 C. M. BARKER, 1939 J. CLEGG, 1940 R. CHADWICK, 1950 G.DASSLER, 1951 R. CHADWICK, 1952 W. A. SUCKLING, 1953 G. CLEGG,
1954 J. C. CASTLES, 1955 E. MCLEAN, 1956 M. PEDERSEN, 1957 C.PEDERSEN,
1958 C. PEDERSEN, 1959 G. JONASEN, 1960 R. MCKENZIE, 1961 F. HERBERT,
1962 R. MCKENZIE, 1963 G. CLEGG, 1964 G. CLEGG, 1965, M. PEDERSEN, 1966 G. CLEGG,
1967, G. CLEGG 1968, R. MCKENZIE, 1969 A. BOLTON.

The FG. HOSKINGS Cup presented 1911 was won by:

1911 R.BURTON, 1912 d. MCFARLANE, 1928 A. THOMSEN, 1929 I. R. WILLIAMS,
1930 W. EDGECOMBE, 1931 A S. BAINES, 1932 W. J. EDGECOMBE, 1933 A. S. BAINES,
1934 M. BARKER, 1940 E. MCLEAN, 1948 c. L. BARKER, 1949-50 C. PEDERSEN, 1951 J. CASTLES,
1952 E.MCLEAN, 1953 F. CLARK, 1954 C. CASTLES, 1955 R. CHADWICK, 1956 R. CHADWICK,
1957 C. PEDERSEN, 1958 M. PEDERSEN, 1959 M. PEDERSEN, 1960 J. C. Castles,
1961 P J CASTLES, 1962 MRS H. MCKENZIE, 1963 G. CLEGG, 1964 G. CLEGG, 1965 G. CLEGG, 1966 0. CLEGG, 1967 R.MCKENZIE, 1968 D. DUNCAN, 1969 W. PEDERSEN.

Union Defence Rifle Club. Winners of the Challenge Belt for Champion Shot, presented by
W. ROBINSON, Esq., Makotuka, were:

1903 PTE RANDERSON, L/C I. J. WEST, 1907 Geo. WEST, 1908 D.Mc FARLANE,
1909 G. C. CALLENDER, 1910 D. Mc FARLANE, 1911 D. Mc FARLANE, 1912 M. CASTLES.

The Waikopiro Defence Rifle Club also competed for the Challenge Belt after 1928, winners being:
1927 E. Mc LEAN, 1928 R. M.CASTLES, 1930 R. M. CASTLES, 1931 R. CASTLES,
1932 A. PATERSON, 1933 A. PATERSON, 1934 C. FAIRBROTHER, 1935 A. PATERSON,
1936 E.CASTLES, 1937 1.CASTLES, 1938 E. CASTLES, 1939 E. CASTLES, 1940 C.BAKER,
1949 B. J. CASTLES, 1950 G. CLEGG, 1951 C. M. BARKER, 1952 G.CLEGG, 1953 N. A. OLSEN, 1954 N. A. OLSEN, 1955 N. FRANCE, 1956 N.FRANCE, 1957 G.JONASEN, 1958 G.CLEGG,
1959 N. FRANCE, 1960 G.CLEGG, 1961 G. CLEGG, 1962 G. CLEGG, 1963 G. JONASEN,
1964 L.SHEFFIELD, 1965 G. CLEGG, 1966 MRS V. CLEGG, 1967 MRS V. CLEGG,
1968 GEO..CLEGG, 1969 GEO..CLEGG, 1970 GEO. CLEGG.

The Waikopiro Defence Rifle Club wound up its affairs in 1970 and the trophies were put into custody of the Norsewood Museum. A financial contribution was made to the Museum and the balance of the funds presented to the Ormondville School, the concrete volley wall being built with the proceeds.

TERRITORIALS
The Ormondville Company of Territorials was formed in 1911 under the Compulsory Military Training scheme. The Company met once a fortnight for drill in the Rechabite Hall from 1912 to 1919 and later in the Peace Memorial Hall.

RACING
Mr LEACH, licensee of the Settlers Arms, was the prime mover in the formation of the Ormondville Racing Club. Due to the lack of suitable flat cleared land in or near Ormondville, meetings were held in a natural clearing at Te Whiti near Norsewood. Mr LEACH owned a fine roan named "Tommy Dodd" and
Mr SKINNER the baker raced a lanky bay called "Fagh-a-ballagh". Patrons travelled by the dray load to attend the races. Unfortunately due to lack of financial support the Racing Club did not last very long.

GOLF
Golf was played at Makotuku and in the 1930s Mrs Alice Stevens of Ormondville was Ladies' Champion of Champions in a major tournament held on that course.

FISHING
Annie and Jonathan HOLDEN owned approximately 6000 acres between Whetukura and Matamau including "Raikaiatai". Mrs HOLDEN stocked the Mangarangiora and Manawatu Rivers with 50,000 fingerlings to provide good fishing for Bushmen, settlers and children. Many a fresh fish meal was poached out of the rivers and trout fishing is excellent in these rivers today.

TENNIS
The first tennis court was at Mrs BOVAIRD's (now CARKEEK'S) and after some wild and hilarious matches a tennis club was formed.

The committee raised funds and laid a hard court in the Domain, which was in regular use until 1968 when the club was wound up and the funds donated to the school.

RUGBY

The earliest recorded Rugby team in the 1 890s shows a look of grim determination although their football gear shows a wide variety of style. The coach was Ben MEARS, linesmen Jack LEACH and George MEARS. Players were: Harry ROBINSON, George MARTIN, Bart LORRIGAN,

Tommy GLEESEN Jack BARNES, Charlie BENBOW, Mich MORAN, Bill SULLIVAN, Bernie GROOM, Bill TUCKER, Joe HOWES, Jack HOWES and Tommy SULLIVAN.

T. W. ELLINGHAM and W. CALCOTT of Waikopiro became Hawke's Bay Rugby Representatives. Club rugby is now centred on Dannevirke but annual "friendly" matches are held each year between Ormondville and Makotuku on the Makotuku Sports Ground.


Mr Job PACKER a football enthusiast was impressed with the net interest shown in sports and donated the Grandstand on the Domain.

Photo page 137 Rugby
1977 NORTHERN COUNTRY JUNIOR, WINNERS MANIAPOTO SHIELD
COACHES: D. CUNNINGHAM, H. ELLINGHAM.
STANDING: STUART (MATAMAU), ANDREW BOLTON (ORMONDVILLE) GEOFFREY KING (MATAMAU), BRUCE STEWART, (MATAMAU).
SEATED: CRAIG PERCY (MATAMAU), SHANE CUNNINGHAM (ORMONDVILLE),
GUY ELLINGHAM (CAPTAIN, ORMONDVILLE), PHILIP ROPIHA (ORMONDVILLE), MARTIN COCKBURN (MATAMAU).
ABSENT: PETER MILLER (AWARIKI).

Athletics

The Annual Sports day at the Domain always attracted large crowds and was attended by the Dannevirke Municipal Band. One of the outstanding events of the early 1900s was the mile race usually won by Alec CAMPBELL a farmer from Tikokino who was New Zealand's champion miler at the time. Charlie WEENINK was Ormondville's sprinter while Raymond REDWARD was Ormondville's threat to Alec CAMPBELL. The athletics events attracted the "bookies" and several would arrive on sports day and could be heard laying the odds "2 to 1 - bar 1" money changing hands mostly into outside hands.

CRICKET
Cricket was a favourite and players from Whetukura and Ormondville from 1905 to 1910 travelled and made a name for themselves in Southern Hawke's Bay. Known cricket players included: -

H.FAYEN (CAPTAIN), L. FAYEN, A. WHITSON, W. CHADWICK, D. REDWARD,
C.WEENINK, H. FREEMAN, L. VIVIAN, D. MACFARLANE, W. SHUKER,
A.R. VIGERS, C. S. K. VIGERS and Jack BRABAZON.


PHOTO PAGE 138 FREDA RENDLE
(now Mrs A. PATERSON)


HOCKEY
Hockey was always a popular sport and three members of the Waikopiro team were included in the Southern Hawke's Bay side, which played a touring team from India at Dannevirke in 1926.

FREDA RENDLE (NOW PATERSON) played for Dannevirke High School and later for Ruahine-Dannevirke travelling throughout New Zealand.

A North Island representative she was in 1927 selected for the N.Z. Women's team to tour South Africa. Unfortunately due to lack of funds this tour was cancelled. Captain of the Norsewood 'A' team in 1932 she played with Joyce Newling of Ormondville who was also a member of the same team.

SMALLBORE RIFLES
The Coronation Small bore Rifle Club was formed in 1937 being so named in honour of the coronation of King George VI. Mr Kingsley Port was the first secretary and keen marksmen included John LEGARTH, CHRIS PEDERSEN, H. ANDERSEN, GORDON and Arthur PORT. In 1942 the range was moved to the Norsewood Town Hall and all members of the Home guard were ordered to attend the weekly shoots for rifle instruction. Kingsley Port was president from 1940 until 1945. A new range was opened at Mathew's Park (Norsewood) in 1955.

In 1955 C. MONTEATH, A.PEDERSEN, B. EARL, M. CASTLES and V. CLEGG won the Earl Ladies Cup. In the same year W. EARL, J. MCALEESE, B. EARL won the HOLYOAKE Men's Cup, GURZINSKI and B. ANDERSON.

In 1957 the 'A' team W. Earl, J. Mc ALEESE, B. Earl, J. GURZINSKI and G.JONASEN, won the HOLYOAKE Cup.

The 'B' team won the McKay Cup in the same year they were M. PEDERSEN, L. HERBERT,
B. ANDERSEN, C. PEDERSEN and A. BOLTON.

SCOUTS
Miss Annie WEBB daughter of Canon WEBB formed the first Scout Troop in Ormondville.
In 1926 C.NEWLING, 0.LAY and A. HOSKING of this troop attended the Jamboree at Dunedin.
In 1958 the troop was amalgamated with Norsewood.


DRAMA

For many years a Drama Club flourished in Ormondville. One of the earliest and most enthusiastic supporters was Mrs Jean BAINES. She brought experience of the English stage to Ormondville and spared nothing in her production of first class entertainment. The Drama Club suffered from lack of support and folded about 1968.

In 1911 a cinematograph was installed in the local hall and "talkies" were a regular feature. From 1920 and for many years "The Gloom Chasers" provided music for dances and social functions. Well remembered are Bill Te TAU (piano), Tommy BENNETT (saxophone), Johnny BROWN (drums), Ivan 'Chalky' ELLISON (violin) and Rita ANDERSON (piano accordion).

TABLE TENNIS

Recently Mr and Mrs W. HYDE have revived interest in an enthusiastic table tennis club well supported by local talent.

SPORTS TODAY

Golf is played at Takapau and Norsewood and there are many private tennis courts. Unfortunately the Domain has fallen into disuse and at the present time being leased by the Board for grazing rights.

A regular annual sports day is held at Makotuku, which attracts pony club and other supporters reflecting the changing times brought about by better transport and roads.

This small rural community has produced sports men and women who have carried on the tradition of participation and enjoyment of the many and varied interests over the past 100 years.

Page 140 Photo 1963 Basketball Team
Sandra CLARK (Captain), Janice Mc KENZIE (Vice-Captain), Diane SAIL, Brenda GOODEVE, Marion CHADWICK, Ann BURLING
Absent Judy FAIRBROTHER

Ormondville Women's Institute

On 3rd November 1931 a meeting of ladies was held to consider the formation of a branch of the N.Z. Women's Institute in Ormondville. Miss BIBBY travelled from Waipawa to explain the aims and objects of the Organisation and two members of the Waikopiro Women's Institute also attended to help and advise.

From this meeting the following members were enrolled: -
Mesdames BUMSTEAD, H. BENBOW, A. HALL, A. BAINES, A. PACKER, A.PORT, ADRIAN, B. HOWES, C. SELBY, HOSKING, BARGE, ANDERSON and KENT. Misses MURPHY, G. HOWES, McLELLAN and BLACK.

Conveners were: - Mesdames A. HALL, A. BAINES AND L. KENT

Mrs H. R. BENBOW was elected first president, Mrs Kent first secretary.

The first meeting took place 23rd November 1931 and has met on the 3rd Thursday of each month since then.

Over the last 47 years the Women's Institute has raised funds for many and diverse needy causes, e.g. the School Dental Clinic and the Wairoa Earthquake Relief Fund. During the war year's parcels were sent to local boys, patriotic funds and Corso benefited. The Women's Institute has materially helped local functions by providing curtains for the Peace Memorial Hall and also by keeping the Hall cleaned regularly. There have been flower Shows, Drama Festivals, Ping-Pong tournaments and Euchre evenings - children's fancy dress dances and Christmas trees.

The members today meet regularly and continue the aims and objects of the Institute.

Present members - President: Mrs Sandra HAYCOCK;
Secretary: Mrs E. DAVIDSON
Mesdames E. AHERN, H. WATTS, H. SMYTH, J.POLLARD, E. GENET, J. BENBOW, E. RITCHIE, B. MCCULLOCH and Mrs A. BAINES - a foundation member who has attended for 47 years.

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• 131-141 Ormondville Rifle and Sports.doc by Elaine Mattsen <>